Best chicken-fried steaks in Texas

The Express-News and mySA.com joined with several other Texas newspapers to determine the best chicken-fried steaks in the Lone Star State.

The Express-News and mySA.com joined with several other Texas newspapers to determine the best chicken-fried steaks in the Lone Star State.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

The Express-News and mySA.com joined with several other Texas... Photo-8853869.72688 - Houston Chronicle

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Amarillo: Green Chile Willy'sLocally owned and nearly invisible at high speeds alongside
I-27, this hidden gem may be tucked between Amarillo and Canyon, but there's no hiding the
fact that its chicken-fried steak is the area's best. Whether ordering the Texas Traditional, Jalapeño Jack, or the popular green chile
version it's named after, hungry diners know they're in for the crispiest, tastiest chicken-fried steak around. Other local favorites: Youngblood's Stockyard Café and Calico County Restaurant.

Amarillo: Green Chile Willy's
Locally owned and nearly invisible at high speeds alongside I-27, this hidden gem may be tucked between Amarillo and Canyon, but there's no hiding the fact that its chicken-fried ... more

Corpus Christi: Nolan's Original PoorboysGet four Corpus Christi residents in a room to discuss their favorite chicken-fried steak and there will be six different opinions. Is it the breading, the cook time, the gravy, the consistency of the meat? All will agree that there's one place in town that captures the essence of what chicken-fried steak should be: Nolan's Original Poorboys. It's no wonder. They've been serving the goods for three generations. Step up to the counter staffed with friendly employees and order the generously-size portion, that's fried just right, with a perfect blend of meat and breading and topped with piping hot gravy. Don't forget the traditional sides of homemade mashed potatoes and green beans cooked with onion and bacon. Then there's the warm, sesame seed-topped bread, which anyone who's from here knows about, to complete the meal. If in town, ask anyone where it is. They'll know how to get there.

Corpus Christi: Nolan's Original Poorboys
Get four Corpus Christi residents in a room to discuss their favorite chicken-fried steak and there will be six different opinions. Is it the breading, the cook time, ... more

Fort Worth: Billy's Oak Acres BBQFort Worth's best chicken-fried steaks are out west, but one isn't very far out.
That's at Billy's Oak Acres BBQ, a new smokehouse in a 50-year-old barbecue-and-beer tavern near Lake Worth.
Pitmaster Billy Woodrich has worked in more expensive "cowboy cuisine" restaurants. He serves a high-dollar chicken-fried steak for a lunch-special price. But it's so much work that he only makes it one day a week: Thursdays.
(Any other day, drive an hour west to Strawn and legendary Mary's Cafe,)

Fort Worth: Billy's Oak Acres BBQ
Fort Worth's best chicken-fried steaks are out west, but one isn't very far out. That's at Billy's Oak Acres BBQ, a new smokehouse in a 50-year-old barbecue-and-beer tavern ... more

Houston area: Florida's KitchenFlorida's Kitchen, in tiny Livingston, likes to crow about its smoked ribs and fried catfish. Both are fine choices and served in epic portions. It's the chicken-fried steak, however, that lures us to this neck of the piney woods. The CFS has been known to hang over the plate at this cafe, which has been feeding the locals for 20 years. The steak's snow white gravy is flecked with pepper and the breading is in a perfect crunchy proportion to the tender steak. You'll be stuffed, so take one of Florida's amazing slabs of Italian Cream Cake to-go.

Houston area: Florida's Kitchen
Florida's Kitchen, in tiny Livingston, likes to crow about its smoked ribs and fried catfish. Both are fine choices and served in epic portions. It's the chicken-fried steak, ... more

Houston: Barbecue InnFor nearly 70 years, the family owned and operated Barbecue Inn has been serving simple country fare. The milk-battered chicken-fried steak comes in two beefy slabs per plate with a fistful of fries and a generous ladle of creamy gravy. A simple green salad is appropriately served on the side. It’s a feast — and a fair deal — for under $13.

Houston: Barbecue Inn
For nearly 70 years, the family owned and operated Barbecue Inn has been serving simple country fare. The milk-battered chicken-fried steak comes in two beefy slabs per plate with a fistful ... more

Midland: Wall Street Bar & GrillHead to the heart of downtown Midland for the city's best chicken-fried steak. Wall Street Bar & Grill is a long-time Midland establishment specializing in steaks and seafood.
For about $10 diners can dig into Wall Street's lightly breaded and crispy chicken-fried steak. The meat is consistently tender and leaner than similar entrees served elsewhere. Wall Street's thick, peppery cream gravy perfectly complements the meat and the basil mashed potatoes — our recommended side — balance some of the heaviness of the dish.
Start with a salad topped with vinaigrette and blue cheese crumbles and finish with a Gold Brick — ice cream topped with a hard chocolate shell.

Midland: Wall Street Bar & Grill
Head to the heart of downtown Midland for the city's best chicken-fried steak. Wall Street Bar & Grill is a long-time Midland establishment specializing in steaks and seafood. ... more

San Antonio: Radicke's Bluebonnet GrillSo many chicken-fried steaks, so little room in the stomach.
Lots of places in San Antonio can claim to serve the best chicken-fried steak in town, but our vote goes to Radicke's Bluebonnet Grill.
Just off I-10 East, this restaurant serves a version of the Texas diner classic that's worth seeking from any part of town. Crisp, well-seasoned batter surrounds a tender piece of beef with plenty of flavor of its own. The batter retains much of its texture even after a generous ladling of tasty cream gravy. Add a side of sweet and buttery corn and made-from-scratch mashed potatoes, it's a hearty and tasty dish that feeds the tummy and the soul.

San Antonio: Radicke's Bluebonnet Grill
So many chicken-fried steaks, so little room in the stomach. Lots of places in San Antonio can claim to serve the best chicken-fried steak in town, but our vote goes to ... more

Wichita Falls: Parkway Grill & ClubNorth Texans take their chicken-fried steak seriously. Cowboys have been pounding stringy beef into edible submission since the days of the Chisolm Trail, a skill that was ultimately refined by good Christian women and passed through the generations.
The specimen you see above is the work of the Parkway Grill & Club in Wichita Falls, a sports bar and grill that specializes in dude food that first follows the most important rule — “It’s hot, it’s brown and there’s plenty of it.” Their CFS is delicious.

Wichita Falls: Parkway Grill & Club
North Texans take their chicken-fried steak seriously. Cowboys have been pounding stringy beef into edible submission since the days of the Chisolm Trail, a skill that was ... more